Method and system for supporting multiple external serial port devices using a serial port controller in embedded disk controllers

ABSTRACT

A serial port controller in an embedded disk drive controller is provided. The serial port controller includes a state machine that can access protocol information regarding plural devices operationally coupled to the serial port controller; a first register that can hold address information of the plural devices; and logic for enabling the plural devices for either a write or read request. The serial port controller also includes a second register for holding write data information for the plural devices; and a third register for holding read data information for the plural devices. The serial port controller reads programmed information regarding the plural device upon a client request; transmits the address of a device with whom communication is requested by the client; and transmits data to the plural devices, if the request by the client is to write data or collects data for a read request.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is application is related to the following U.S. patent applications, filed on even date herewith and incorporated herein by reference in entirety:

-   “METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC TIME BASE ADJUSTMENT FOR DISK DRIVE     SERVO CONTROLLERS”, Ser. No. 10/384,992, with Michael Spaur and     Raymond A. Sandoval as inventors. -   “METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR EMBEDDED DISK CONTROLLERS”, Ser. No.     10/385,022 with Larry L. Byers, Paul B. Ricci, Joesph G. Kriscunas,     Joseba M. Desubijana, Gary R. Robeck, Michael R. Spaur and David M.     Purdham as inventors. -   “METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR USING AN INTERRUPT CONTROLLER IN EMBEDDED     DISK CONTROLLERS”, Ser. No. 10/384,991, with David M. Purdham,     Larry L. Byers and Andrew Artz as inventors. -   “METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MONITORING EMBEDDED DISK CONTROLLER     COMPONENTS”, Ser. No. 10/385,042, with Larry L. Byers, Joseba M.     Desubijana, Gary R. Robeck, and William W. Dennin as inventors. -   “METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COLLECTING SERVO FIELD DATA FROM PROGRAMMABLE     DEVICES IN EMBEDDED DISK CONTROLLERS”, Ser. No. 10/385,405, with     Michael R. Spaur and Raymond A. Sandoval as inventors. -   “METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR USING AN EXTERNAL BUS CONTROLLER IN EMBEDDED     DISK CONTROLLERS” Ser. No. 10/385,046, with Gary R. Robeck, Larry L.     Byers, Joseba M. Desubijana, and Fredarico E. Dutton as inventors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to storage systems, and more particularly to disk drive servo controllers.

2. Background

Conventional computer systems typically include several functional components. These components may include a central processing unit (CPU), main memory, input/output (“I/O”) devices, and disk drives. In conventional systems, the main memory is coupled to the CPU via a system bus or a local memory bus. The main memory is used to provide the CPU access to data and/or program information that is stored in main memory at execution time. Typically, the main memory is composed of random access memory (RAM) circuits. A computer system with the CPU and main memory is often referred to as a host system.

The main memory is typically smaller than disk drives and may be volatile. Programming data is often stored on the disk drive and read into main memory as needed. The disk drives are coupled to the host system via a disk controller that handles complex details of interfacing the disk drives to the host system. Communications between the host system and the disk controller is usually provided using one of a variety of standard I/O bus interfaces.

Typically, a disk drive includes one or more magnetic disks. Each disk (or platter) typically has a number of concentric rings or tracks (platter) on which data is stored. The tracks themselves may be divided into sectors, which are the smallest accessible data units. A positioning head above the appropriate track accesses a sector. An index pulse typically identifies the first sector of a track. The start of each sector is identified with a sector pulse. Typically, the disk drive waits until a desired sector rotates beneath the head before proceeding with a read or write operation. Data is accessed serially, one bit at a time and typically, each disk has its own read/write head.

FIG. 1 shows a disk drive system 100 with platters 101A and 101B, an actuator 102 and read/write head 103. Typically, multiple platters/read and write heads are used. Platters 101A–101B have assigned tracks for storing system information, servo data and user data.

The disk drive is connected to the disk controller that performs numerous functions, for example, converting digital data to analog head signals, disk formatting, error checking and fixing, logical to physical address mapping and data buffering. To perform the various functions for transferring data, the disk controller includes numerous components.

To access data from a disk drive (or to write data), the host system must know where to read (or write data to) the data from the disk drive. A driver typically performs this task. Once the disk drive address is known, the address is translated to cylinder, head and sector based on platter geometry and sent to the disk controller. Logic on the hard disk looks at the number of cylinders requested. Servo controller firmware instructs motor control hardware to move read/write heads 103 to the appropriate track. When the head is in the correct position, it reads the data from the correct track.

Typically, read and write head 103 has a write core for writing data in a data region, and a read core for magnetically detecting the data written in the data region of a track and a servo pattern recorded on a servo region.

A servo system 104 detects the position of head 103 on platter 101A according to a phase of a servo pattern detected by the read core of head 103. Servo system 104 then moves head 103 to the target position.

Servo system 104 servo-controls head 103 while receiving feedback for a detected position obtained from a servo pattern so that any positional error between the detected position and the target position is negated.

Typically, a servo controller in system 104 communicates with various serial port programmable devices coupled via a serial port interface. The serial port interface enables transmission of commands and configuration data. One such device is shown in FIG. 3, as the “read channel device 303”. An example of such a product is “88C7500 Integrated Read channel” device sold by Marvell Semiconductor Inc®.

There is no standard for these various serial port devices to communicate with the servo controller. For example, length of address and length of data fields may vary from one device to the next. Hence, a single serial port connection is not typically used for plural devices having different protocols. Conventional techniques require a separate controller for each device. This is commercially undesirable because it adds costs and extra logic on a chip.

Therefore, what is desired is an efficient system that allows an embedded disk controller to communicate with plural devices through a single serial port controller interface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a serial port controller in an embedded disk drive controller is provided. The serial port controller includes a state machine that can access protocol information regarding plural devices operationally coupled to the serial port controller; a first register that can hold address information of the plural devices; and logic for enabling the plural devices for either a write or read request. The serial port controller also includes a second register for holding write data information for the plural devices; and a third register for holding read data information for the plural devices.

In another aspect, a method for a serial port controller in an embedded disk drive controller that enables the embedded disk drive controller to communicate with plural serial port devices is provided. The method includes, reading programmed information regarding the plural device upon a client request; transmitting the address of a device with whom communication is requested by the client; and transmitting data to the plural devices, if the request by the client is to write data.

In one aspect, the state machine receives requests from components of the embedded disk controller to read data from or write data to the plural devices. The state machine generates an enabling signal that can provide a client access to the plural devices.

In one aspect of the present invention, the servo controller with a single state machine can communicate with multiple serial port devices, and each device may have a different protocol.

This brief summary has been provided so that the nature of the invention may be understood quickly. A more complete understanding of the invention can be obtained by reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof in connection with the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing features and other features of the present invention will now be described. In the drawings, the same components have the same reference numerals. The illustrated embodiment is intended to illustrate, but not to limit the invention. The drawings include the following Figures:

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a disk drive;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embedded disk controller system, according to one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the various components of the FIG. 3 system and a two-platter, four-head disk drive, according to one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a servo controller, according to one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic of a serial port controller, according to one aspect of the present invention;

FIGS. 6A and 6B provides examples of timing diagrams as used by the serial port controller of FIG. 5 during a write and read phase, respectively, according to one aspect of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of executable steps for a state machine used by the serial port controller, according to one aspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

To facilitate an understanding of the preferred embodiment, the general architecture and operation of an embedded disk controller will be described initially. The specific architecture and operation of the preferred embodiment will then be described.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an embedded disk controller system 200 according to one aspect of the present invention. System 200 may be an application specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”).

System 200 includes a microprocessor (“MP) 201 that performs various functions described below. MP 201 may be a Pentium® Class processor designed and developed by Intel Corporation® or an ARM processor. MP 201 is operationally coupled to various system 200 components via buses 222 and 223. Bus 222 may be an Advance High performance (AHB) bus as specified by ARM Inc. Bus 223 may an Advance Peripheral Bus (“APB”) as specified by ARM Inc. The specifications for AHB and APB are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

System 200 is also provided with a random access memory (RAM) or static RAM (SRAM) 202 that stores programs and instructions, which allows MP 201 to execute computer instructions. MP 201 may execute code instructions (also referred to as “firmware”) out of RAM 202.

System 200 is also provided with read only memory (ROM) 203 that stores invariant instructions, including basic input/output instructions.

System 200 is also provided with a digital signal processor (“DSP”) 206 that controls and monitors various servo functions through DSP interface module (“DSPIM”) 208 and servo controller interface 210 operationally coupled to a servo controller (“SC”)211.

DSPIM 208 interfaces DSP 206 with MP 201 and allows DSP 206 to update a tightly coupled memory module (TCM) 205 (also referred to as “memory module” 205) with servo related information. MP 201 can access TCM 205 via DSPIM 208.

Servo controller interface (“SCI”) 210 includes an APB interface 213 that allows SCI 210 to interface with APB bus 223 and allows SC 211 to interface with MP 201 and DSP 206.

SCI 210 also includes DSPAHB interface 214 that allows access to DSPAHB bus 209. SCI 210 is provided with a digital to analog and analog to digital converter 212 that converts data from analog to digital domain and vice-versa. Analog data 220 enters module 212 and leaves as analog data 220A to a servo device 221.

SC 211 has a read channel device (RDC) serial port 217, a motor control (“SVC”) serial port 218 for a “combo” motor controller device, a head integrated circuit (HDIC) serial port 219 and a servo data (“SVD”) interface 216 for communicating with various devices.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram with disk 100 coupled to system 200, according to one aspect of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a read channel device 303 that receives signals from a pre-amplifier 302 (also known as head integrated circuit (HDIC)) coupled to disk 100. One example of a read channel device 303 is manufactured by Marvell Semiconductor Inc.®, Part Number 88C7500, while pre-amplifier 302 may be a Texas instrument, Part Number SR1790. Pre-amplifier 302 is also operationally coupled to SC 211. Servo data (“SVD”) 305 is sent to SC 211.

A motor controller 307 (also referred to as device 307), (for example, a motor controller manufactured by Texas Instruments®, Part Number SH6764) sends control signals 308 to control actuator movement using motor 307A. It is noteworthy that spindle 101C is controlled by a spindle motor (not shown) for rotating platters 101A and 101B. SC 211 sends plural signals to motor controller 307 including clock, data and “enable” signals to motor controller 307 (for example, SV_SEN, SV_SCLK and SV_SDAT).

SC 211 is also operationally coupled to a piezo controller 509 that allows communication with a piezo device (not shown). One such piezo controller is sold by Rolm Electronics®, Part Number BD6801FV. SC 211 sends clock, data and enable signals to controller 509 (for example, SV_SEN, SV_SCLK and SV_SDAT).

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of SC 211, according to one aspect of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows SC 211 with a serial port controller 404 for controlling various serial ports 405–407.

SC 211 also has a servo-timing controller (“STC”) 401 that automatically adjusts the time base when a head change occurs. Servo controller 211 includes an interrupt controller 411 that can generate an interrupt to DSP 206 and MP 201. Interrupts may be generated when a servo field is found (or not found) and for other reasons. SC 211 includes a servo monitoring port 412 that monitors various signals to SC 211.

SC 211 uses a pulse width modulation unit (“PWM”) 413 for supporting control of motor 307A PWM, and a spindle motor PWM 409 and a piezo PWM 408.

MP 201 and/or DSP 206 use read channel device 303 for transferring configuration data and operational commands through SC 211 (via read channel serial port interface 406).

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of serial port controller 404, according to one aspect of the present invention. The example only shows how serial port controller 404 allows communication between system 200 and motor controller 307 and piezo controller 509. It is noteworthy that the invention is not limited to just these two or any particular number of devices.

Controller 404 includes a state machine 404A that has access to piezo controller 509 and device 307 information in registers 501 and 503 (that includes controller 509 and 307 protocol information), for MP 201 (referred to as Client 1 in FIG. 5 for illustration purposes only). State machine 404A can also access controller 509 and device 307 information in registers 502 and 504 for DSP 206 (referred to as Client 2 in FIG. 5 for illustration purposes only). Typically information in registers 501–504 includes address fields for each device (509 or 307 in this example), length of the data fields and timing control information (for example, if data from a certain device is captured on the rising or falling edge of a clock signal,) and setup and hold time data for the active edge of a clock signal.

Controller 404 also includes various registers, for example, registers 515–517 for storing address, write data and read data for controller requested by client 1, and registers 518–520 for storing address, write data and read data for a device requested by client 2. Information from register 515–520 is sent to a router 521 that allows MP 201 or DSP 206 to communicate with controller 509 or device 307.

Request to Write: The following example shows how MP 201 (or any other component) can write data to a device (in this example, controller 509 or device 307). MP 201 sends a request 506 that is received by state machine 404A. MP 201 then adds the address and data in register 515 and 516. Based on the information in registers 501–504, state machine 404A determines the identity of the device to which MP 201 wants to write. State machine 404A then sets up the device by generating signal 508 or 513 that enables controller 509 or device 307, respectively. Thereafter, data is written to controller 509 or device 307.

FIG. 6A provides a timing diagram showing the relationship between signals 513, 512 and 511 to write data to device 307. Signal 512 is a serial clock that is used for synchronizing data transfer between a client and the device.

Request to Read: The following example shows how DSP 206 (or any other component) can read data from a device (in this example, controller 509 or device 307). A request 507 is received by state machine 404A from DSP 201. DSP 201 also provides an address to register 518. Based on the information in registers 501 and 502, state machine 404A determines the identity of the device to read data. State machine 404A then sets up signal 508 or 513 to read data from controller 509 or device 307.

FIG. 6B provides a timing diagram showing the relationship between signals 508, 512 and 511 to read data from controller 509.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing executable process steps used by state machine 404A, according to one aspect of the present invention.

In step S700, state machine 404A is in an idle state. When it receives requests from various clients (MP 201 and DSP 206), state machine 404A enters an arbitration mode in step S701. One of the clients wins arbitration and is then allowed to communicate to an external device, 509 or device 307.

In step S702, state machine 404A reads programmed information about a device (for example, controller 509 or device 307) from registers 501–504.

In step S703, state machine 404A transmits the appropriate device address to the client who won arbitration in step S701.

In step S704, state machine 404A, transmits data via router 521, to controller 509 or device 307, for a write mode. Thereafter, the process returns to step S700.

In step S705, state machine 404A, collects data via router 521, from controller 509 or device 307, for a read mode and the data is sent to register 520 for later recovery by the requesting client. Thereafter, the process returns to step S700.

In one aspect of the present invention, the servo controller with a single state machine can communicate with multiple serial port devices, and each device may have a different protocol.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, these embodiments are illustrative only and not limiting. Many other applications and embodiments of the present invention will be apparent in light of this disclosure and the following claims. 

1. A serial port controller in a servo controller of an embedded disk drive controller, comprising: a state machine that can access programmed information regarding plural devices operationally coupled to the serial port controller via serial ports, wherein the state machine receives requests from plural clients to communicate with the plural devices and the plural devices operate under different protocols and the state machine in the serial port controller allows communication between the servo controller and the plural devices instead of using a separate controller for each of the plural devices; a first register that can hold address information of the plural devices; and logic for enabling the plural devices for either a write request or a read request, wherein the state machine arbitrates between requests received from plural clients and a client that wins arbitration communicates with the plural devices.
 2. The serial port controller of claim 1, further comprising: a second register for holding write data information for the plural devices.
 3. The serial port controller of claim 1, further comprising: a third register for holding read data information for the plural devices.
 4. The serial port controller of claim 1, wherein the state machine receives requests from the plural clients to read data from or write data to the plural devices.
 5. The serial port controller of claim 1, wherein the state machine generates an enabling signal that can provide a client access to the plural devices.
 6. The serial port controller of claim 1, further comprising: a router coupled to the first and second register and allows data to flow from and to the plural devices.
 7. A method for a serial port controller in a servo controller of an embedded disk drive controller, wherein the serial port controller is coupled to plural devices via serial ports, comprising: reading programmed information regarding the plural devices upon a client request to communicate with one of the plural devices that operate under different protocols, wherein a state machine in the serial port controller receives requests from the client to communicate with the plural devices and the state machine in the serial port controller allows communication via the servo controller and between the client and the plural devices instead of using a separate controller for each of the plural devices; transmitting the address of a device with whom communication is requested by the client; and transmitting data to the plural devices, if the request by the client is to write data.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising; receiving data from the plural devices, if the request by the client is to read data.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein a main processor of the embedded disk controller is a client.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein a digital signal processor in the embedded disk controller is a client.
 11. The serial port controller of claim 1, wherein a main processor of the embedded disk controller is one of the plural clients that requests communication with the plural devices.
 12. The serial port controller of claim 1, wherein a digital signal processor in the embedded disk controller is one of the plural clients that requests communication with the plural devices.
 13. An embedded disk controller, comprising: a servo controller comprising a serial port controller coupled to plural devices via serial ports, wherein the serial port controller comprising: a state machine that can access programmed information regarding the plural devices, wherein the state machine receives requests from plural clients to communicate with the plural devices and the plural devices operate under different protocols and the state machine in the serial port controller allows communication between the servo controller and the plural devices instead of using a separate controller for each of the plural devices; a first register that can hold address information for the plural devices; and logic for enabling the plural devices for either a write request or a read request, wherein the state machine arbitrates between requests received from plural clients and a client that wins arbitration communicates with the plural devices.
 14. The embedded disk controller of claim 13, wherein the state machine receives requests from the plural client to read data from and/or write data to the plural devices.
 15. The embedded disk controller of claim 13, wherein the state machine generates an enabling signal that can provide a client access to the plural devices.
 16. The embedded disk controller of claim 13, wherein a main processor is one of the plural clients that requests communication with the plural devices.
 17. The embedded disk controller of claim 13, wherein a digital signal processor is one of the plural clients that requests communication with the plural devices. 